BULLETIN NOTES – NOVEMBER 5, 2000

 

 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

Today, the church celebrates All Saints Day.  Officially, October 31st begins this feast celebration, as the eve of All Saints Day.  Thus, the name Halloween (from the word hallow, meaning soul).  November 1st is the recognized feast day for this celebration.  Halloween became the Christian church’s response and counter-celebration to that of the Druids, who held their annual ceremony of celebration as the solar equinox occurred.

 

The Druids met in the woods and believed in charms, magic, astrology, human sacrifice, and immortality.  The Druids believed that the veil between the worlds of the living and dead were at its thinnest, thus making communications with the dead easier.  On this night the Druids offered human sacrifices by burning the victims.  All other fires were to be extinguished, except the sacrificial fire.  All other fires would be relit using the sacrificial fire.  The Druids also believed that on this night the souls of the dead roamed freely in the land of the living.

 

After the Roman Empire conquered Wales, Christianity became the religion of the government.  Although Christianity was the accepted religion, many of the practices were deeply embedded in the people.  The Romans celebrated the Holiday of Fenalia, intended to give rest and peace to the departed.  This festival was held on February 21st, the last month of the year on the Roman calendar.

 

Prayers, sacrifices and oblations were made on behalf of their departed ones.  During the 7th Century, Pope Boniface IV introduced All Saints Day to replace this pagan festival of the dead.  It was observed on May 13th and later changed to November 1st by Pope Gregory II.

 

All Saints Day is the celebration of the early Christian martyrs, and now by extension, all deceased Christians.  So, today we give thanks for “all the saints, who from their labors rest” and we all look toward the day when all of God’s children shall gather together around His throne never to depart from His presence again.  Amen.

 

~ Dr. Adams